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As You Like It Summary
Answer: The poem "All the World's a Stage" is spoken by Jaques, a melancholy lord attending the banished Duke Senior, in the Forest of Arden (Act II, Scene 7).
Occasion: Duke Senior and his lords are about to eat in the forest when Orlando rushes in with his sword drawn, demanding food for himself and for his old, starving servant Adam. The Duke kindly invites him to share the meal. When Orlando goes to fetch Adam, the Duke remarks that they are not the only unhappy ones, since the world is a "wide and universal theatre". Jaques replies with the speech "All the world's a stage", describing the seven ages of man.
Short summary of the play: Duke Frederick has usurped the throne of his elder brother, Duke Senior, who lives in exile in the Forest of Arden. Rosalind (Duke Senior's daughter) is banished too and escapes to the forest with her cousin Celia, disguised as a young man, Ganymede. Orlando, who loves Rosalind, also flees there from his cruel brother Oliver. After many comic situations, Rosalind reveals herself, four couples are married, Oliver reforms and Duke Frederick returns the throne to Duke Senior.
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